Head of Investment Centre of Excellence

As the Head of Investment Centre of Excellence reporting to the CIO, you will work closely with the CIO to build and maintain a professional, high performing and forward-looking investment team. As well as deep technical expertise, the candidate will have excellent leadership and relationship skills. The successful candidate will influence the investor style and culture of LGPS Central Limited.

This is a key role, reporting directly to the CIO, with responsibilities including:

• Leading on strategic projects - This role will collaborate with the CIO and the investment team to develop and execute strategic initiatives. For example, driving change and enhancements to meet the government’s Fit for the Future requirements. Enhancing best practice within the investment team and preparing for future evolution.
• Overseeing the Investment Centre of Excellence - The role will be responsible for overseeing our new investment “Centre of Excellence” including Investment Oversight, Manager Monitoring & Research, Trading & Execution and Local Investing.
• Ensuring LGPS Central’s investments meet Partner Fund needs - The role will also be integral to ensuring a close link between the investment team and Partner Funds’ investment requirements. Working closely with the Advisory/Client team.
• Directly supporting the CIO – Support the CIO in day-to-day responsibilities including drafting papers and key documentation.

This role is a certified role under the Senior Manager’s Certification Regime and will be subject to assessments in Fitness and Propriety and any other regulatory requirements

What you’ll be doing

As Head of Investment Centre of Excellence you will:

Leading on strategic projects, for example:

• Leading on design of asset class solutions. Ensuring robust input from the investment team and ensuring LGPS Central’s investment solutions meet the needs of Partner Funds, Government and other stakeholders.

Overseeing the Investment Centre of Excellence, including:

• Direct line management responsibility for Fund Oversight & Strategy Manager.
• Dual line management responsibility for Manager Research & Monitoring, Trading & Execution and Local Investing.
• Setting clear objectives for people and teams.
• Developing, implementing and reporting on key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Ensuring people and teams are able to meet the objectives, through:
• Providing leadership and mentorship to team members.
• Identifying training and development needs to enhance skills and capabilities.
• Streamlining processes and improve efficiency.
• Supporting investment teams to develop and deliver a robust and transparent decision-making and reporting process.
• Championing a rigorous culture of high performing, collaborative, research-based investing across LGPS Central.
• Work with the Responsible Investment & Stewardship Team to integrate responsible investment into the investment process and culture.

Ensuring LGPS Central’s investments meet Partner Fund needs, including:

• Working with Partner Funds, their other advisors, and the Central Advisory/Client team to ensure our investment solutions continue to meet the needs of the Partner Funds.
• Supporting the Advisory/Client function in communications with the Partner Funds.
• Ensuring investment reporting meets the needs of Partner Funds.
• Delivering value for money for Partner Funds.

Other responsibilities:

• Act as a trusted advisor to the CIO, providing insights and recommendations on strategic direction and implementation.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Effectively communicate strategies and initiatives to stakeholders.
• Prepare presentations and coordinate cross-team inputs for critical meetings and decisions.
• Be an ambassador for LGPS Central within the investment community, Partner Funds, and with regulators and key stakeholders.
• Build & maintain relationships with appropriate external parties, including other large asset owner run managers, fund managers and consultants.
• Participate actively in the Investment Committee overseeing and advising on investment portfolios, contributing to the investment strategy of the pool.

About Us

LGPS Central (LGPSC) Ltd is the FCA-regulated asset manager for eight local authority pension funds across the Midlands. LGPSC is jointly owned on an equal shares basis by those Partner Fund, and it is responsible for managing £45bn+ of their assets. It is one of eight Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) asset pools in the UK.

LGPS Central's Partner Funds are:

• Cheshire Pension Fund
• Derbyshire Pension Fund
• Leicestershire Pension Fund
• Nottinghamshire Pension Fund
• Shropshire Pension Fund
• Staffordshire Pension Fund
• West Midlands Pension Fund
• Worcestershire Pension Fund

The Company is committed to responsible investment and has made responsible investment a core part of the investment process in every asset class.

LGPS Central offers a friendly and diverse, hybrid-working environment with a range of employee benefits. The Company moved to new premises at i9, Wolverhampton Interchange in January 2022, close to local transport links.

Our objective is to be a leading investment management company working with and for our Partner Funds. With a focus on value for money and performance we want to aspire to be one of the best because this is how we will deliver the superior investment returns and low costs for our Partner Funds.

Requirements

Problem solving

• Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, ensuring timely completion and alignment with organisational goals.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Experience in conducting in-depth analysis to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Experience developing and implementing business plans.

Investment

• Market acknowledged investment leader and subject matter expert.
• Demonstrates skills in designing LGPS investment strategies and asset class solutions.
• Can articulate portfolio construction and investment selection skills. Including integration of responsible investment, manager selection and monitoring.
• Experience of collaborative investment decision making at a senior level.
• Experience of investment oversight including evaluation of performance and risk of investment portfolios

Relationship

• Excellent communication and relationship skills, capable of building relationships across all levels of the organisation and externally.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including ability to resolve conflicts and improve difficult relationships.
• Well-developed relationship partnering skills, including building and demonstrating personal credibility.

Leadership

• Ability to adapt to a fast-paced and changing environment, demonstrating flexibility and resilience.
• Has successfully built, run, and developed high performing investment teams.
• High degree of professional ethics, integrity, and gravitas.

Confidentiality

• This role requires a high level of confidentiality, as it will involve leading high-profile projects.

Qualifications

• CFA or equivalent qualification / relevant investment experience.
• Preferably degree level or equivalent in relevant discipline.
• Has or can meet all the requirements of being an FCA approved person.

What do we offer?

We are proud to provide our people with a premium and exclusive benefits package and we are continually improving the rewards we offer. Here are a few of the valuable rewards that you will enjoy:

• Competitive salary
• An enhanced and generous Pension Scheme
• 30 days' paid holiday plus bank holidays
• 2 days paid volunteering days
• An extra paid Company Day in addition to paid holidays
• Excellent Learning & Development Opportunities
• Welfare and Family-friendly policies
• Enhanced pay for new parents
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme - 24-7 Health & Wellbeing Support
• Vitality Private Medical Insurance
• Hybrid Working
• Company Service Awards
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Company Electric Vehicle Scheme
• Nominees of the Family Friendly Employer of the Year 2022 - Personnel Today Awards 2022
• Winner of the Cultural Awareness Initiative of the Year - FT Advisors Diversity in Finance Awards 2023
• Winner of Diversity and Inclusion Award - LAPF In Investments Award 2023